Some people have known the value of hosting a dinner party for a long time. But the coronavirus pandemic has brought even more people onboard to all the goodness that it can bring. With going out to restaurants becoming more complicated in the past, plus the increased desire for people to get together, many of us are looking at our properties as not just places to live but as social spaces. 

But of course, it takes work to put together a fantastic dinner party. In this blog, we’ll run through some essential tips that’ll have you on the right track. 

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Create an Atmosphere

You can’t expect to have an awesome dinner party if you’re just doing what you normally do each night. Instead, look at pushing the boat out and making things look and feel a little special. The aim is to try and recreate the atmosphere of a restaurant. After all, aren’t they always so inviting and pleasant to be in? There are a couple of areas that you should focus on most. For example, work on getting the lighting correct — it should be low and ambient. Also, dress your dining table up a little. It’ll look a lot nicer if you have a centerpiece/table cloth/candles, etc. 

A Great Dish

People will come to your dinner party because they want to socialize and enjoy time together. But who are we kidding? The food that you serve will have a big impact on the quality of the evening. There’s no shortage of excellent dishes that you can make. The ideal recipe, however, will be one that’s delicious and impressive, but not overly complicated to make. A dish like parmesan chicken and mushrooms will be the ideal recipe to make. Just be sure to check with everyone about their dietary requirements before you decide on a recipe. 

Desserts

The main course will be the most appealing aspect of the dinner, but let’s not forget about the treat at the end. Even if you don’t have normally have dessert with your dinners, it’s a good idea to add one to your menu. Most people like to have something sweet after they’ve enjoyed a meal. You’ll have a few options. You can make something from scratch, which is a bit more thoughtful but requires more work. Or you can buy a dessert from a store. There’s likely a delicious dessert place close to where you live! 

Serving Drinks

Don’t forget about the drinks! They can help to take the dinner to a whole new level. After all, people would have the option of drinking whatever it was that they felt like if they were at a restaurant, so try to offer the same to your guests. A selection of wines, beers, and spirits, plus soft drinks, will ensure that nobody goes thirsty. If this is a special occasion, then you can even think about investing in a cocktail kit and mixing up some delicious beverages. Trust us when we say that people will be impressed! 

Keep Things Fluid

One of the more underrated elements of hosting a successful dinner party is to try and make everything as fluid as possible. This is what makes visiting a restaurant so pleasant; everything seems to work exactly as it should. Of course, you won’t reach a professional level of fluidity, but by thinking ahead and planning a little, you can make sure that things are relatively smooth. For example, you can prep as much food as possible beforehand, so you’re not constantly running in and out of the kitchen, and time your dessert (if you’re making it in the oven, for example) so that it’s ready after the meal has finished (rather than in the middle of dinner, when you’d have to get up to take it out of the oven and so on). 

Party Entertainment 

You and your loved ones will be likely to have a great time just because you’re together. However, keep in mind that this isn’t just a regular get-together, oh no — it’s a special occasion. So why not look at adding another level to proceedings by incorporating some dinner entertainment? You could look up some interesting dinner party questions or invest in some board games so that there’s something to do once the dinner has finished. Also, look at playing some party music when guests arrive and some light dinner music when you’re eating. It’ll help to add to the sense of atmosphere and fun of the evening, and help set the tone. 

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This is a contributed post